The icon is the strongest amulet that protects a believer. Such holy images as the Creator, the Mother of God, and Christ have been revered by Christians for a long time. Let's look into the article, the topic, if the icon fell and the signs that the priest can explain.
It has long been the custom of Orthodox believers to ask icons for help. This tradition is still relevant today. For this, not only images of the ancient type are used, but also icons that were created in their likeness. It is believed that both ancient icons that stream myrrh and modern works created in the likeness of the originals have power.
You can ask for help from legendary icons and pocket images that you carry with you or place near your baby’s crib.
What is the power of icons
So, let's talk about the sign of how the icon fell and the magical properties of the latter. For many Orthodox Christians, it is important to get an answer to the question of whether our religion allows us to turn to icons for help. Isn't this blasphemy? Church ministers argue that people should pray not to the icons themselves as specific objects, but to the face of the saint who is depicted on it. Such an action pleases the Lord if done with heartfelt sincerity.
The statement about the greater power of some icons in comparison with others is true, since they are most often prayed to. Therefore, the power of an icon does not depend on its beauty or size. By kneeling over the holy image, you receive the desired help. If you pray diligently over the icon, it gains even greater power and becomes capable of fulfilling requests.
Why did the icon fall on the photograph of the deceased?
In fact, those who believe in such things simply do not understand what the Church is and believe that people can be manipulated through its Sacraments. This is a typical example of magical thinking: “I will perform some ritual action and gain power over a person.” But the Church is the house of God. And if someone, coming to this house, like a thief, tries to create such magical lawlessness in it, then he can only harm himself and no one else.
By practicing magic, a person turns to demons, comes into contact with them, and makes himself complicit with evil spirits. And by practicing magic in the Church, in essence, you are lying to God, trying to deceive Him, abandoning Him. And thereby he deprives himself of the only opportunity to get rid of the influence of demons who gain complete power over him. Therefore, it is not the people whom such sorcerers “remembered for their repose” who are in mortal danger, but these unfortunate manipulators themselves.
In fact, in this case, the one who so thoughtlessly began to judge another person, instead of helping him in difficult times, should consider himself a sinner.
A person can feel ill in a church for a variety of reasons - from high blood pressure, from an exacerbation of a chronic illness, and sometimes simply from stuffiness.
The Church has never associated such a temporary illness of a person in the temple with his sinfulness.
If an icon unexpectedly fell on a photo of the deceased (on an ordinary day or at a wake), this sign indicates that the deceased is present next to you and is trying in every possible way to give you a “sign” from the other world.
About miraculous power
Some people have the gift of praying for icons. They address the holy faces in such a way that they become stronger. This process requires a lot of effort and time. It is necessary to read all the prescribed prayers in accordance with the sequence. This way you can achieve a special connection with the saint whose face is depicted on the icon.
The help of prayed icons will come to those people who are distinguished by spiritual purity. Then both simple things and significant achievements begin to come into order. The power of an image can bestow grace.
About the ancient tradition
So, your icon fell. Signs among the people do not foretell anything optimistic. This is caused by the reverent attitude of the Orthodox towards the holy faces. Such an event can cause horror and give rise to superstitious thoughts. The tradition of equipping the Red Corner for placing icons has been known for a long time. The Mother of God and Jesus Christ, who are considered especially revered saints, found a place here. There are also special rules for placing icons in accordance with the hierarchy.
In the Red Corner they lit a lamp and constantly turned to the images with gratitude and requests for help. From this the power of the holy faces became even greater.
The Power of Superstitions
Even though we live in the 21st century, superstitious messages continue to be transmitted, causing confusion in the minds of Christians. Human nature is designed in such a way that if we are faced with the unknown, we immediately turn to superstitions. After all, the unknown is frightening, and mystical explanations of events help in overcoming uncertainty and fear.
According to some psychologists, the ineradicability and seductiveness of superstitions is based on the desire to control events and one’s life. A person has the opportunity to find out the future using beliefs, signs and omens.
Often the sign of a fallen icon is explained by the fact that it was poorly secured. This is the most realistic interpretation of the situation. Therefore, to prevent this from happening again, you need to take care of the reliability of the installation of holy faces. The Church is also inclined to believe that superstitions only alienate the soul of a Christian from its Creator.
The opinion of the clergy
The priests believe that superstitions are just a response of paganism. Instead of stirring up fears and worries, you should visit church and try to get in a good mood. In addition, a fallen icon can be picked up and a prayer can be immediately read. In this way the soul will be healed and the house will be sanctified.
It is best to securely mount icons and think more often about the light and spiritual. The desire to live according to the commandments of the Lord will undoubtedly be highly appreciated.
However, omens are called that way because it has ever been noticed that they come true. At the same time, the clergy insist that one should live in peace with oneself, pray more and believe in a bright future.
Signs from the people
A fallen icon is a sign that is popularly explained as an ancient belief. It is believed that this is a warning from the Lord that death or serious illness will soon come to the house.
But sometimes this event is interpreted simply as a harbinger of tragic or sad events: failures, bad news, troubles or problems.
However, signs are considered superstitions. They cannot be trusted not to alienate their soul from the Creator.
But in a situation where an icon is damaged, or when it is broken, according to tradition, it is necessary to take it to the temple to consult with a priest. What can a church minister suggest?
Advice from a priest
The sign of an icon falling from the wall is interpreted by the church as superstition. It is believed that belief in omens is a matter displeasing to the Lord. Priests try to explain to people that they should not confuse themselves by believing in them, considering this to be the work of evil spirits.
Despite these warnings, many people today are still bothered by a black cat on the road or returning home when they need to say hello to the mirror.
According to the priests, the situation can be corrected simply by changing the location of the holy faces. It is considered correct to place icons on the eastern wall of the house or in the right corner. Some images are hung above the door so that they can protect the room and its inhabitants from the evil eye and unclean thoughts. These are “Impenetrable Door”, “Unbreakable Wall”, “Seven Shot”. The listed icons have long been considered protectors of the entrance to the house.
After the fall, the priests advise picking up the icon, wiping it and kissing it. This will allow you to express your respect for the holy image. Then carefully secure the holy face to avoid a repetition of the situation. A broken icon cannot simply be thrown into the trash. This will desecrate the holy face. In this case, it is better to take the icon to the temple. Attempts to independently restore the holy image are also welcome, if a person understands this.
They say that when a church candle smokes and goes out in your hands, it is a bad sign.
In fact, this is just a sign that the candle was made in violation of technology and is defective. To see certain “signs” in such signs is real paganism, which has crept into the Church and, with its absurd “horror stories,” robs people of the joy of communion with God.
John Chrysostom wrote about it this way: “Their soul is filled with many signs. For example, so-and-so, they say, was the first to meet me when I was leaving the house: a thousand troubles will certainly happen for me. Today, the hated servant, handing me shoes, brought his left one in front: there will be great troubles and misfortunes.
I myself, leaving the house, stepped over the threshold with my left foot: and this portends misfortune. These are home failures. When I left the house, my right eye blinked: there were tears. {amp}lt;…{amp}gt; and thousands of other superstitions they have that are worthy of laughter. Whether a donkey crows, or a rooster, or someone sneezes, and in general, no matter what happens, everything worries them, so that they, as I said, seem to be fettered by thousands of bonds, as if they are in darkness, suspecting everything (bad) and many more were enslaved than thousands of slaves.
Getting to know superstitions
If an icon falls in a house, the sign has several explanations that were created by the people:
- Having fallen at night, the icon calls on you to think about your life. Perhaps a person often acts contrary to the commandments of the Lord, causing his displeasure. Through the holy image, the Creator shows the Christian that he is dissatisfied with human behavior.
- If an icon depicting Jesus is broken, this is popularly explained as a warning about the imminent death of relatives. It is important to inquire about the health of your relatives and, if complaints arise, go to church and light a candle and pray for them.
A sign with a fallen icon of the Mother of God means that the owner of the home may soon experience health problems. Therefore, this situation warns of a careful attitude towards him. It is undesirable to risk yourself doing extreme sports.
- An icon that falls at the moment when a person is preparing to go on a long journey warns that it is better not to go anywhere. Because the journey will be problematic.
- The fall of the icon at those moments when a married couple sorts out their relationship through quarrels and raised voices warns that it is time to restore peace. Otherwise, the consequences may be most undesirable.
- If an icon falls from a shelf, the sign says that it is high time for a person to visit church and turn to the holy images with sincere prayer. But, provided that it did not crash.
- If the fall of the icon is repeated day after day, this can be considered a warning about the presence of evil spirits in the house. Then you may need to consecrate the room.
- The fall of the icon at those moments when a married couple sorts out their relationship through quarrels and raised voices warns that it is time to restore peace. Otherwise, the consequences may be most undesirable.
- If an icon falls from a shelf, the sign says that it is high time for a person to visit church and turn to the holy images with sincere prayer. But, provided that it did not crash.
- If the fall of the icon is repeated day after day, this can be considered a warning about the presence of evil spirits in the house. Then you may need to consecrate the room.
- The fall of the icon at those moments when a married couple sorts out their relationship through quarrels and raised voices warns that it is time to restore peace. Otherwise, the consequences may be most undesirable.
- If an icon falls from a shelf, the sign says that it is high time for a person to visit church and turn to the holy images with sincere prayer. But, provided that it did not crash.
- If the fall of the icon is repeated day after day, this can be considered a warning about the presence of evil spirits in the house. Then you may need to consecrate the room.
- The icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker fell - a sign calling for attention to children. This saint has long been considered the patron saint of children. Therefore, this situation calls for taking care of the younger members of your family.
- The fall of the icon at those moments when a married couple sorts out their relationship through quarrels and raised voices warns that it is time to restore peace. Otherwise, the consequences may be most undesirable.
- If an icon falls from a shelf, the sign says that it is high time for a person to visit church and turn to the holy images with sincere prayer. But, provided that it did not crash.
- If the fall of the icon is repeated day after day, this can be considered a warning about the presence of evil spirits in the house. Then you may need to consecrate the room.
Completely crashed
If you believe popular superstitions, breaking an icon is a sign of misfortune or great sin. Especially if a family heirloom or value that was passed down from generation to generation in this family fell.
It is believed that such an icon protects general well-being and its fall is extremely rarely accidental. Very often, this sign predicts unhappiness in the home, divorce, the death of one of the spouses, or danger for the entire family.
Sometimes this is a sign that one of the family members may commit a serious sin or crime, for which the whole family may then pay.
If the icon used to crown a young couple falls, expect misfortune in the family. In a couple, showdowns, quarrels and constant troubles may begin; the illness or death of one of the spouses may occur. Often an icon falls down during adultery in a married couple.
The falling of a small icon, especially for children, may indicate danger for them or minor losses and troubles.
An icon shattered into pieces is an unkind harbinger, telling of impending disaster. If there is a weak or elderly person in the house, then you can expect early manifestations of the disease. Also, a completely broken sacred object can mean the approach of misfortunes and other problems in the life of household members. In this case, the face will most likely fall at a time when there is no one in the home.
Interpretations:
- Throwing and breaking an icon in anger is a bad sign, which will “cause” you to have a series of problems with health, money and relationships with loved ones.
- Accidentally breaking an icon - unexpected troubles will take you by surprise, but if you remain patient, you will be able to cope with them.
- Breaking several icons means incurring the “wrath of God” on yourself; you are in danger of a long period of failures, problems, difficulties, illnesses and misfortunes.
Let's sum it up
According to popular belief, if an icon falls, you should expect trouble. Moreover, they range from simple bad luck in business to the death of one of the family members. If you believe superstitions, then a fallen icon promises a lot of negativity.
But the priests with whom people consulted in such situations argue that one should not indulge in superstitions. They distance us from understanding the Lord's truths. If it happens that the holy face has fallen, then the church ministers call on you to take care that the icon is well secured. If damaged as a result of a fall, you can try to restore it; if that doesn’t work, take it to the temple.
Having raised the holy face, you need to clean it from dirt with a napkin and kiss it. After this, you will need to pray at the holy image.
Icons are unique portals through which a person can contact his creator. Therefore, it is important to provide decent conditions for the placement of these shrines. In ancient times, a corner was specially created for icons in the house, which was respectfully called red. Here prayer rituals were performed daily and lamps were lit.
The Church advises that to perform prayer it is important to address not the icon itself as an object, but the image depicted on it. It is the power of holy intercession that can work miracles. History knows facts of complete healing and even resurrection after Christians sincerely prayed at the icons.
Patron Saint
As a rule, every true Christian has in his home an icon depicting his saint. It is selected depending on personal preferences and on behalf of the person. For example, for Roman it will be the image of Roman the Sweet Singer, and for Anna - St. Anna (Mother of the Virgin). What does it mean if such an icon falls at home? What is this for? Such an event promises difficulties only for the person whose saintly image has fallen. For the rest of the family this sign will not mean anything. If the icon of your saint falls, it means that difficulties and trials await you. At this time, you should not blame others for your troubles. Everything that happens is the result of your activity.
If an icon of a saint breaks, then this is a serious sign for a person. This could mean illness or an accident. In the following days, you should be very careful and postpone all important matters and trips.
